The Mysteries of Udolpho

The middle compartment of this hall rose into a vaulted roof, enriched

with fretwork, and supported, on three sides, by pillars of marble;

beyond these, long colonnades retired in gloomy grandeur, till their

extent was lost in twilight. The lightest footsteps of the servants,

as they advanced through these, were returned in whispering echoes,

and their figures, seen at a distance imperfectly through the dusk,

frequently awakened Emily's imagination. She looked alternately

at Montoni, at his guests and on the surrounding scene; and then,

remembering her dear native province, her pleasant home and the

simplicity and goodness of the friends, whom she had lost, grief and

surprise again occupied her mind.

When her thoughts could return from these considerations, she fancied

she observed an air of authority towards his guests, such as she had

never before seen him assume, though he had always been distinguished

by an haughty carriage; there was something also in the manners of the

strangers, that seemed perfectly, though not servilely, to acknowledge

his superiority. During dinner, the conversation was chiefly on war and politics. They

talked with energy of the state of Venice, its dangers, the character of

the reigning Doge and of the chief senators; and then spoke of the state

of Rome. When the repast was over, they rose, and, each filling his

goblet with wine from the gilded ewer, that stood beside him, drank

'Success to our exploits!' Montoni was lifting his goblet to his lips to

drink this toast, when suddenly the wine hissed, rose to the brim, and,

as he held the glass from him, it burst into a thousand pieces.

To him, who constantly used that sort of Venice glass, which had the

quality of breaking, upon receiving poisoned liquor, a suspicion, that

some of his guests had endeavoured to betray him, instantly occurred,

and he ordered all the gates to be closed, drew his sword, and, looking

round on them, who stood in silent amazement, exclaimed, 'Here is a

traitor among us; let those, that are innocent, assist in discovering

the guilty.' Indignation flashed from the eyes of the cavaliers, who all drew their

swords; and Madame Montoni, terrified at what might ensue, was hastening

from the hall, when her husband commanded her to stay; but his further

words could not now be distinguished, for the voice of every person rose

together. His order, that all the servants should appear, was at length

obeyed, and they declared their ignorance of any deceit--a protestation

which could not be believed; for it was evident, that, as Montoni's

liquor, and his only, had been poisoned, a deliberate design had been

formed against his life, which could not have been carried so far

towards its accomplishment, without the connivance of the servant, who

had the care of the wine ewers.